Method and apparatus for a flexible peripheral access router

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a method for a local area network router, that allows communication between a number of remotely located users, and a plurality of peripheral devices connected to the local area network router. Users may access the local area network using wireless devices or the Internet. The peripheral devices, which may include a wide variety of multi-media storage, playback, printing, or other functions, are connected to the router via local interfaces, which communicate with the peripheral devices via established protocols. Each of the peripheral devices is provided with an IP address, which facilitates direct communication of the users with the peripheral devices and permits direct communication with the devices over the Internet. Data packets destined for the IP address of a peripheral device are router through the local interface, which converts the data utilizing compatible communication protocols for the target peripheral device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. PatentProvisional Application No. 60/352,122 filed on Jan. 25, 2002, and isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to methods and apparatus for providingmulti-user access to devices and the Internet.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] It is increasingly desirable to couple computer and digitaldevices together and to the Internet using TCP/IP protocols. Oneinstance of this is multiple computers provided with radio modemsproviding wireless communication. Wireless communication between usersand a network provides some significant advantages over the similarcommunication networks utilizing completely hardwired connections. Sincethere are no permanent wires or cables connecting users to a hub orrouter in the network, the costs of installing wire and cable areeliminated, as are any costs associated with expanding or changing theoffice or workplace facility in the future. Wireless solutions alsoprovide mobility for users who must take their PC to various locationson the job site and cannot be tied to a single, non-mobile workstation.

[0006] Currently, wireless communication between users and a network maytake place via a wireless network access point. This access point issimply an adapter device that converts the incoming radio communicationsfrom users' PCs to signals understood by a network, and gives the remotePC users access to all devices connected (hard wired) to the networkbeyond the access point. This concept is illustrated in FIG. 1A of theprior art. Users may have portable 10A or desktop 10B PCs equipped withwireless modems. These modems transmit to and receive from wirelessaccess point 12 which has a single ethernet connection 14 to a localarea network 16. This access point 12 is a dedicated hardware devicespecifically designed to provide multi-user wireless communication witha single ethernet LAN connection.

[0007] Once a user is connected to the LAN 16, they would have access toa number of peripheral devices such as printers, network hard drives,scanners, cable modems, telephone modems, etc. But all of these devicesnormally require a second interface to connect to the LAN. For example,a printer connected to the network would require an interface devicethat has an ethernet connection input (from the LAN) and a standard UART(universal asynchronous receiver transmitter) driven LPT (line printerterminal) parallel port (to be connected to the printer). In addition,the LAN usually requires various servers and switching hubs designed toidentify and route traffic to end target devices.

[0008]FIG. 1B (prior art) illustrates a similar system marketed byCompex, that allows a standard PC 18 to be converted to an access pointfor an ethernet based LAN 16. A “kit” provided by the manufacturerincludes a wireless transceiver pair; one for a user's PC 10A or 10B,and a mating compatible PCI bus interface circuit card that is installedin PC 18. Also included in the “kit” is software that enables thenetwork communication between user's PC 10 and LAN 16. Connection toperipheral devices attached to LAN 16 would have to be made through LAN16. Connection to peripheral devices attached to the LAN 16 would haveto be made through interface adapters, as discussed previously.

[0009]FIG. 1C (prior art) illustrates another current productmanufactured by companies like Lucent, 3Com, and Cisco Systems. Awireless residential gateway 20 provides an access point for an ethernet14 based LAN 16, along with a standard V.90 modem connection 22 that cancommunicate via standard telephone lines 14, and RS232 serial portconnections 26. This device provides connectivity to other communicationtechnologies besides a LAN, but access to any peripheral device attachedto the RS232 serial port 26, for example, will still require anotherpiece of hardware or additional components to connect to the widestvariety of devices, since most will not provide compatible connectivityvia a serial port.

[0010]FIG. 1D (prior art) illustrates a product that provides wirelesscommunication between users 10 and a USB (universal serial bus) basednetwork. A wireless USB adapter 28 can be connected to a USB hub 30,which in turn is connected to multiple USB devices 32. Currently, a widevariety of USB devices exists such as scanners, DVD/CD readers/writers,removable storage, and printers. But not all devices are compatible withUSB systems, and USB is not desirable for high speed data transfers, asmight be required for hard disk drives or full color scanners.

[0011]FIG. 1E (prior art) illustrates a product that provides wirelesscommunication to a cable modem or DSL (digital subscriber line)connection. Wireless base station and cable router 34 is connected tocable ort DSL line 36, and is designed exclusively for this purpose.Other types of peripherals cannot be executed.

[0012]FIG. 1F (prior art) illustrates a product that provides wirelesscommunication between users 10 and a IEEE 1394 (Fire Wire) basednetwork. A wireless IEEE 1394 adapter 200 can be connected to a IEEE1394 hub 210, which in turn is connected to multiple IEEE 1394 devices220. A wide variety of IEEE 1394 devices are available such as scanners,DVD/CD readers/writers, removable storage, and printers. But not alldevices are compatible with IEEE 1394 systems, and IEEE 1394 is not acost-effective solution when a high transfer rate is not required, suchas when connecting a keyboard and a mouse to a computer.

[0013] As illustrated in the examples cited above, a wireless PC userhas a large number of adapters to purchase if they want to connect to amultiplicity of devices. They can connect to a multiplicity of devices.They can purchase discrete adapters to connect directly to each end usedevice (such as a printer or scanner), or purchase a single access pointadapter to connect to a LAN, then a number of discrete adapters toconnect the end use devices to the LAN. While the current methodologiesoffer the highest degree of flexibility in configuring the system, it isat a penalty of high cost and significant complexity. The complexityaspect is also reflected in the software needed to run such a network,especially if numerous adapters from a number of different manufacturersare present.

[0014] It would be of further interest to have users, connected to theInternet, to also have access to a multiplicity of multi-mediaperipheral devices, without the expense and complexity of an ethernetbased LAN system equipped with discrete adapters to support amultiplicity of peripheral device protocols.

[0015] What is needed is an apparatus and method that allows multipleusers to connect via wireless modems and the Internet to a singlemultiple access router, which enables the shared communication with anumber of multi-media and peripheral devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The present invention provides a method and apparatus for a localnetwork router, also referred to as a peripheral access router, thatallows communication between a number of remotely located users, and aplurality of peripheral devices connected to the local area networkrouter. Users may access the local area network router using wirelessdevices or the Internet. The peripheral devices, which may include awide variety of multi-media storage, playback, printing, or otherfunctions, are connected to the router via local interfaces. Each of theperipheral devices is provided with an IP address, which facilitatesdirect communication of the users with the peripheral devices andpermits direct communication with the devices over the Internet.

[0017] A local area network router, in accordance with the presentinvention, includes a central processing apparatus, a plurality ofperipheral devices coupled to the central processing apparatus, eachprovided with an IP address, and an interface coupled to the centralprocessing device to provide Internet connectivity to said peripheraldevices.

[0018] A local area network router, in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention, further includes a plurality ofperipheral devices coupled to at least one of a plurality of localinterfaces, the local interfaces being coupled to the central processingapparatus, wherein the peripheral devices communicate with the localinterfaces using peripheral interface protocols.

[0019] The local interfaces, in accordance with the present invention,are connected to the peripheral devices such as: a digital or videocamera, a printer, a scanner, a copier, a hard drive, a CD-ROM drive, aDVD drive/player, a removable media storage drive, a streaming tapedrive, an Ethernet hub or router, a telephone, a modem, a gamecontroller, or a USB hub.

[0020] The present invention further includes a method for a local areanetwork router which detect a data pocket en route from an originatingIP address to a destination IP address, sends the data pocket to a widearea network if the destination IP address is not on a list of local IPaddresses, and sends the data packet to a local interface coupled to aperipheral device having the destination IP address if the destinationaddress is on the lost of local addresses. Preferably, the methodfurther illustrates the data packet into an appropriate protocol for aperipheral coupled to the local interface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021]FIG. 1A (prior art) illustrates communication with a prior artwireless access point to a LAN network.

[0022]FIG. 1B (prior art) illustrates communication with a prior artwireless access point to a LAN network using a PC and Compex softwareand components.

[0023]FIG. 1C (prior art) illustrates communication with a prior artwireless gateway.

[0024]FIG. 1D (prior art) illustrates communication with a prior artwireless USB adapter and network.

[0025]FIG. 1E (prior art) illustrates a communication with a prior artwireless base station connected to cable or DSL lines.

[0026]FIG. 1F (prior art) illustrates a product that provides wirelesscommunication between users 10 and a IEEE 1394 (Fire Wire) basednetwork.

[0027]FIG. 2 is a pictorial representation of a flexible peripheralaccess router according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028]FIG. 3A is a block diagram of the peripheral access routeraccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029]FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram illustrating the port and IPaddress relationships stored in memory in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention.

[0030]FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method for receiving incoming EPpackets and addressing port changes according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0031]FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating the “Handle Port Changes”process of FIG. 4 in greater detail.

[0032]FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating the “Route Packets” processof FIG. 4.

[0033]FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0034] FIGS. 1A-1F were discussed with reference to various prior artsystems.

[0035]FIG. 2 is a pictorial representation of the present invention.Users gain access to the peripheral access router 38, or local areanetwork router 38, via wireless modems in computers 10. Users may alsoaccess router 38 through the Internet 42 or LAN 40. Connected to router38 are a number of peripheral devices 44-58. These include but are notlimited to cameras 44, digital video disk (DVD) player 46, compact diskread/writer (CD-R/W) 48, storage hard drive 50, scanner 52, printer 54,copier 56, and telephone 58. Other devices are not specifically listedabove can also be connected to router 38. Peripheral devices 44-58communicate with router 38 via well established protocols 60 such as802.11b (for wireless communication), universal serial bus (USB),Ethernet, IEEE 1394 (Fire Wire), line printer port (LPT), digitalsubscriber line (DSL), telephone lines, video cable, and small computersystem interface (SCSI). Other protocols not specifically mentioned mayalso be used.

[0036]FIG. 3A is a block diagram of the peripheral access routeraccording to an embodiment of the present invention. Central processingunit 62 communicates with each peripheral device via port numbers0,1,2,3 . . . N, providing N+1 total ports. Information (see FIG. 3B)stored in memory 64 provides a unique IP address for each of theperipheral devices 76-84. Each local interface is assigned a unique portnumber, as illustrated in FIG. 3A. Each peripheral device has a uniqueIP address. The CPU 62 access saved information relating eachperipheral's IP address to the port and local interface the device isconnected to, sending packets of information destined for a particularperipheral to the correct port and interface. For example, incominginformation, in the form of an IP packet, destined for serial device 78(via its IP address) is routed to the interface circuit 68, providingthe RS232 protocol. The incoming IP packet with the appropriate IPaddress is router to port number 1 by the central processing unit 62,which determines the appropriate port number via information stored inmemory 64. Local interface 68 converts the IP packet into a suitableforma consistent with the protocol required to communicate with theserial device 78.

[0037] The local interfaces 66-74 may also contain IP addressidentification information that would allow multiple peripheral devicesdesigned to be connected to a single local interface to be identifiedand utilized. In the example above, serial device 78 may be a modem or aprinter. The modem and printer each have a unique IP address to allowCPU 62 to communicate with the serial device currently connected. Someinterfaces, such as USB, Ethernet, and SCSI allow multiple peripheraldevices to be connected simultaneously. For multiple USB devices 80 on aUSB interface 70, information being sent to devices on the USB bus issent to individual components via unique IP addresses. In this case,multiple IP addresses would be routed to port number 2 through interface70. Local interface 70 would convert the IP packets to USB compatibleprotocol, and route the information to the appropriate target peripheralutilizing the IP address associated with the packet.

[0038]FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram illustrating the port and IPaddress relationships stored in memory in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention. A table 87 of IP addressed 86 as a function ofport number 88 is stored as a simple look up table in memory 64. Foreach port number, a unique IP address corresponding to each deviceinstalled on that port is saved in memory. When a peripheral device ischanged or added, the new IP address is added to table 87 (for theappropriate port number). For devices that are removed, the old addressis removed (or marked inactive). In this manner, the CPU and systemsoftware always knows the current peripheral device configuration. TheIP addresses of new devices may be provided as part of the installationprocess by the device being installed, or through configuration filespreviously stored in memory 64.

[0039] The process for routing packets and handling port changes beginsas shown in FIG. 4. An interrupt is created in step 92 with a receivingan IP packet event or with a detecting a port change event. It isdesirable to detect port changes so that the configuration of the router38 is known at all times, as well as allowing for changes to be made tothe number and type of peripheral devices, without having to shut downand re-boot. I.e., the present invention permits “hot swapping” of portsand devices. If an interrupt is created due to a port change, step 96 isexecuted. Further detail on step 96 is shown in FIG. 5. For interruptscreated through receipt of an IP packet, step 94 is executed. Furtherdetail on step 94 is shown in FIG. 6. Following processing of theinterrupt 92 via steps 94 or 96, the system is returned to the start 90.

[0040]FIG. 5 illustrates further details of step 96, FIG. 4. Starting atstep 98, one determines the type of port change in step 100. If a deviceis added, step 104 is executed in which the system dynamically allocatesan internal IP address, and stores the new address in the table 86.Following step 104, the users are notified of the changes, or they areposted in a common area in step 106. If a device is added, step 104 isexecuted in which the system dynamically allocates an internal IPaddress, and stores the new address in the table 86. Following step 104,the users are notified of the changes, or they are posted in a commonarea in step 106. If a device is removed, the associated IP address isremoved in step 102, following which users are notified of the changestep 106. This process is applicable to the removal, replacement, oraddition of peripheral devices. For the removal of a device, one wouldproceed from step 98 to 100 to 102 to 106 and 107. For the replacementof one device with another, one would first proceed from steps 98 to 100to 102 to 106 and 107, followed by steps 98 to 100 to 104 to 106 and107. For the addition of another device on the same port (i.e. for USB,SCSI, etc.) steps 98 to 100 to 104 to 106 and 107 would be followed.

[0041] It should also be noted that this process is applicable forintroducing changes in the local interfaces as well. For example, if onewere to remove the RS232 serial interface 68 and any serial device 78attached thereto from port 1 in FIG. 3A, and replace these with a secondEthernet interface and LAN devices, one would follow the steps outlinedabove. That is, first the serial devices would be removed, including thelocal interface 68 (steps 98, 100, 102, 106 and 107). Then the Ethernetdevices would be added, including the new Ethernet local interface(steps 98, 100, 104, 106 and 107). The IP addresses of the serialdevices on port 1 would be deactivated and those of the Ethernet deviceswould be enabled. This allows peripheral with different protocols to beutilized on the same port, if desired (but not simultaneously, ofcourse).

[0042]FIG. 6 is a flow chart of the packet routing step 94 of FIG. 4.From the starting step 108, step 110 determined if the packet isentering the router from the Internet. If not, process flow is routed tostep 112, where the IP address is compared to those stored in table 86.If a match is found, step 120 is executed, and the information is routedto the appropriate port address 88. If no match is found, step 114 isexecuted, routing the packet to the Internet. Returning to step 110, ifthe packet is from the Internet, step 118 is executed, where the IPaddress is compared to those stored in table 86. If a match is found,the information is routed to the correct port 88 in step 120. If nomatch is found in step 122, an error is created in step 122. For thecase of an erroneous IP address generated from an internal user, theprocess would proceed from step 110 to 114. Since no valid address wouldbe found on the Internet, the IP packet would be returned. Process flowat step 110 would proceed to step 118 and then finally to step 122.

[0043] An exemplary hardware embodiment of the current inventionutilizing a personal computer is shown in FIG. 7. Central processingunit (CPU) 124 is connected to motherboard controller 126. Themotherboard controller 126 is connected by a bus system to DRAM 128, andto peripheral device interface circuit cards 134-142 via the PCI bus.Also connected to controller 126 are PIIX4e controller 132. Device 132controls the system hard drives 120, as well as providing USBcommunication capability, and control the ISA bus. A V.90 modem 144 maybe connected to the ISA bus. Also connected to device 132 is universalasynchronous receiver transmitter (UART) 158 that provides parallel port(LPT) and serial port (RS232) support. It should be noted that localinterfaces such as USB, serial RS232, LPT can also be provided byadditional circuitry on the PCI bus as well. The peripheral deviceinterface circuit cards 134-144, along with devices 132 and 158, containthe hardware functionality of local interfaces 66-74 describedpreviously that determin the peripheral device protocols.

[0044] In the foregoing specification, the invention has been describedwith reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, beevident that various modifications and changes may be made theretowithout departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention.The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded asillustrative rather than restrictive.

What is claimed is:
 1. A local area network router comprising: a centralprocessing apparatus; a plurality of peripheral devices coupled to saidcentral processing apparatus, each of said plurality of peripheraldevices provided with an IP address; and an Internet interface coupledto said central processing device to provide Internet connectivity tosaid peripheral devices.
 2. A local area network router as recited inclaim 1: wherein said plurality of peripheral devices are coupled to atleast one of a plurality of local interfaces, said at least one of aplurality of local interfaces being coupled to said central processingapparatus; and wherein said plurality of peripheral devices communicatewith said at least one of a plurality of local interfaces usingperipheral interface protocols.
 3. A local area network router asrecited in claim 2: wherein at least one of said plurality of localinterfaces is wireless.
 4. A local area network router as recited inclaim 2: wherein said at least one of a plurality of local interfacescomprises: (a) a universal serial bus (USB) port (b) a RS 232 serialport (c) an IEEE 1394 Fire Wire port (d) a line printer terminal (LPT)port (e) a small computer system interface (SCSI) port (f) an Ethernetport (g) a digital subscriber line (DSL) port (h) a video cable port (i)a V.90 telephone line modem port (j) an optical fiber port.
 5. A localarea network router as recited in claim 1: wherein said at least one ofa plurality of peripheral devices comprises: (a) a camera (b) a printer(c) a scanner (d) a copier (e) a hard drive (f) a CD-R/W drive (g) a DVDdrive/player (h) a removable media storage device (i) a streaming tapedrive (j) an Ethernet hub or router (k) a telephone (l) a modem (m) agame controller (n) a USB hub (o) an MPEG player.
 6. A local areanetwork router as recited in claim 2: wherein at least one of saidplurality of local interfaces can be changed without re-booting saidcentral processing apparatus.
 7. A local area network router as recitedin claim 1: wherein said IP address of at least one of said plurality ofperipheral devices is saved in memory.
 8. A local area network router asrecited in claim 1: wherein a data packet with a destination IP address,originating from said Internet interface, is delivered to said IPaddress.
 9. A local area network router as recited in claim 2: wherein adata packet with a destination iP address, originating from said atleast one of a plurality of local interfaces, is delivered to said IPaddress.
 10. A method for providing a local area network routercomprising: detecting a data packet en route from an originating IPaddress to a destination IP address; sending said data packet to a localinterface coupled to a peripheral device having said destination EPaddress if said destination address is on said list of local addresses;and translating said data packet into an appropriate protocol for saidperipheral device.
 11. A method for providing a local area networkrouter as recited in claim 10: wherein said local interface comprises:(a) a universal serial bus (USB) port (b) a RS 232 serial port (c) anIEEE 1394 Fire Wire port (d) a line printer terminal (LPT) port (e) asmall computer system interface (SCSI) port (f) an Ethernet port (g) adigital subscriber line (DSL) port (h) a video cable port (i) a V.90telephone line modem port (j) an optical fiber port.
 12. A method forproviding a local area network router as recited in claim 10: whereinsaid peripheral device comprises: (a) a camera (b) a printer (c) ascanner (d) a copier (e) a hard drive (f) a CD-R/W drive (g) -a DVDdrive/player (h) a removable media storage drive (i) an Ethernet hub orrouter (j) a telephone (k) a modem (l) a game controller (m) a USB hub(n) an MPEG player.
 13. A method for providing a local area networkrouter as recited in claim 10: wherein said local interface is wireless.14. A method for providing a local area network router as recited inclaim 10 comprising: changing said local interface without re-bootingsaid local area network router.
 15. A method for providing a local areanetwork router as recited in claim 10 comprising: changing saidperipheral device without re-booting said local area network router. 16.A method for providing a local area network router as recited in claim15 comprising: removing said destination address of said peripheraldevice from said list of local addresses after uncoupling saidperipheral device from said local interface.
 17. A method for providinga local area network router as recited in claim 15 comprising: adding anew destination address of a new peripheral device to said list of localaddresses after coupling said new peripheral device to said localinterface.